chicago



March 8, 1932.

G. A. CARLSON THIMBLE Filed April 10 1950 Patented Mar. 8, 1932 warrenSTATES PATENT oFFICEw GUSTAV A. CARIISON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBTO THE BOYE NEEDLECOM- I'ANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS THIMBLE Application filed. April 10,

This invention relates to thimbles, and more particularly to a thimbleequipped with means for engaging and severing threads.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a thimble of simpleand inexpensive construction which is equipped with means for receivingand severing threads. A further object is to provide a thimble withsevering segments which are adapted to readlly engage thread and grip itso that it may be broken with little effort. Another object 1s toprovide a thimble with thread severing means and guards which serve tohold the thread out of engagement with the severing means while at thesame time permitting the thread to be readily drawn into engagement withthe severing means when desired, Other objects and advantages willappear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is fully described in the following specification andshown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a thimble embodying my invention; and V Fig. 2 is a brokensectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Figure1.

In the illustration given, A designates a thimble which may be of theusual shape an construction. The thimble is preferably provided with afinger guard piece 1 which is provided with a roughened surface orindentations 2. The open end of the thimble is preferably equipped witha rim 3.

The thread severing means comprise the extruded segments't which arepreferably formed in adjacent relation, as shown very clearly in Figure2. Each of the segments 4; is turned so as to form with the wall of thethimble a central loop section 5 adapted to receive a thread and a lowerwedge or V-sec; tion adapted to grip'the thread when it is drawnthereinto. At the \l-point 6 the thimble wall and the adjacent segmentwall present sharp edges which are adapted to sever the thread when thethread is drawn therein.

By arranging the pair of segments 4 so that the openings? of eachsegment face each other, the rounded outer surface of the segments serveas guards which prevent the 1938. Serial .110. {143,170.

In the operation of the device, the thread i is drawn through theopening 7 of one of the segments the thread. The thimble may be thenmoved along the thread until the exact point of severance 1s reached, atwhich time the thread i is drawn toward the V-point 6. Here the threadis firmly gripped between the wall of the thimble and the segment 4 andthe cutting edges of the two elements tend to sever the thread. A slightpull on the thimble or the thread causes the thread to part at the pointof engagement with the segment 4:.

While one segment 4- may be used, it is preferred to use two segments,as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, so that each of the seg mentsprovides a guard, as well as a finder for the other segment. Also, withthis construction the thread may be severed by pulling it toward eitherof the segments.

The severing means are simple and may d be formed from the metal of thethimble wall at slight expense. Such means enable the user to dispensewith scissors or other cutting means and provide a very convenient andspeedy method of cutting threads.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should beunderstood'therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed asbroadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A thimble comprising a hollow body having an open upper end andadjacent thereto a pair of vertically aligned outwardly-struck curvedthread-severing members mutually guarding each other, the members beingsevered from the wall of said body except at the upper end of the uppermember and the lower end of the lower member, said 4 so that the loopportion 5 receives members having outward bulges and in- I curved freeextremities.

2. A thimble as specified in claim 1, in which said wall has an intactportion be tween and slightly back of the free extremities of saidmembers.

3. A thimble having integrally opposed tongues struck outwardly from itswall to form outwardly bulged thread-engaging elements, the freeextremities of said elements being curved inwardly and spaced a slightdistance apart, said elements serving to mutually guard each other andtending to prevent accidental catching of the thread in either of saidelements.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 8th day of April, 1930.

GUSTAV A. CARLSON.

